Strokes and Oral health

A stroke happens every 4 minutes in the US, and someone dies from it.  But, did you know that there might be a relationship between these? While it isn’t fully understood, here are a few connections that we’ve made regarding the two.

To understand the connection, you need to look at what a stroke is, and who has a high risk of having one. Strokes occur when the blood vessel within the brain bursts or there is a blood clot that is stopping oxygen from getting there, and if you have a stroke, it can cause drooping arms, weakness, slowed or impaired speech, and brain damage.  It happens to people over 65, African Americans who are twice as likely to suffer from a stroke, poor lifestyle choices including smoking, obesity, and suffering from diseases that result from them,

While these are all different means that can cause this, did you know that gum disease can connect to this too?

Gum disease affects more than 64 million Americans, which is half of the adult populace. ti’s created by an overgrowth of bacteria within the mouth, characterized by swollen, red gums that pull away from the tooth, easily bleed, and it can be slow, and it can also be rectified after a long time with the correct treatment.

The treatment is simple, and that is to keep up with good oral hygiene practices and follow the recommendations of the dentist, such as brushing twice daily, using floss and mouthwash daily, chewing gum that’s sugar free when you can’t brush, and also drinking water.

How are these connected though?

Well, the connection is inflammation. The growth of bacteria that’s associated with gum disease is a mouth infection, so this can get into the bloodstream, causing inflammation, the blood to clot, and a stroke. While it isn’t totally clear whether inflammation from gum disease results in this, there is studies that have been done that there is a clear link. It also can connect to other conditions such as diabetes, cancers, and even Alzheimers disease.

Because many Americans have been impacted by gum disease and stroke, it’s so important to understand the risks and ways that this prevents it. It is also important to stay on top of your oral care practices if you notice that a loved one has a stroke. Patients that have suffered strokes may need help in supporting or maintaining good oral health care, especially if they do have cognitive and physical limits that prevent it.  By taking preventative measures against it, you are lowering the risk for stroke, along with a lot of other diseases too.

you’d be surprised at how much of a difference this can ultimately make, but your oral health does matter, and you should take the time to better understand it by seeing a dentist today in order to help you with these issues, so that you too can have the perfect smile that is possible for you right now.

What is a Root Canal

Root canal and root canal treatment is the removal of the pulp, which is a small issue that’s in the center of the mouth. Once the damaged, dead, or diseased pulp is removed, the rest is cleaned up, filled, and then shaped. It does seal off the root canal, and usually, this can save the teeth that were otherwise lost.

Usually, this happened due to cracked teeth, deep cavities, injuries to teeth, and if the pulp is left for dead, this can actually build pus up at the jawbone, which can destroy the bone and the teeth, causing pain and if left untreated, death.

cartoon tooth root canal treatment , great for dental care concept

The first thing that you do is you should talk to your Las vegas dentist about whether or not the pulp can be safely removed or not, and if not, they may have to do a full extraction. But, the first thing that they do is make openings near the back of the molar or even the pre-molar. After that, the diseased pulp is then removed, and the chamber and the root canals are cleaned up, shaped, and enlarged f preparation on what’s being filled.  If more than one visit is required, a filling is then placed on the crown pushed up to protect the tooth area in between dental visits. The temporary filling is then removed and the pulp chamber and the root canal are totally filled. From there a tapered, rubbery material that’s called gutta-precha is then put into each of these canals, and from there sealed into place with cement. Sometimes, metal or plastic rods are placed there for more support of the structure. The final step is usually when a crown is placed over the tooth itself in order to restore the shape and the appearance of this. If the tooth is super broken down, you may need another appointment before the crown is placed on top of this.

How long will this last? Well, your treated and restored types of teeth can last a lifetime if you take care of this. But, tooth decay can still occur with teeth that are good, so you should make sure that you exhibit proper hygiene orally, and from there make sure that you get the necessary dental exams to prevent this.  Since there is not help keeping this alive, this can become brittle and not prone to staying together, so fractures can happen, so do be careful when you’re getting a crown or filling on this.

You can usually see comparative x-rays in order to figure out how your teeth look before treatment, and you can look at whether or not the bone continues to be lost, or if it is being regenerated in some way, shape or form.

When it comes to oral hygiene, you should definitely consider this type of treatment, and you may need it if there is a risk for infection whatsoever, and realize that it can help you in many different ways, and overall can help.

Difference between Plaque and Tartar

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but there are a few key differences which can, in turn, impact your health.

Both of these begin with eating, that’s for sure. Plaque and tartar are all something that happens when you eat, and it happens during digestion. Whenever we chew, saliva mixes with crushed food in order to break it down so that it does absorb the nutrients.  This is where the bacteria grows, and the truth is, you have 500 different bacteria species waiting for what you’re going to eat next.  One way to put an end to this is to stop eating, but that’s definitely not what you can stop, so you need to look at other options.

Plaque is a clear and sticky residue that forms on the teeth during the night and day. Plaque will develop within hours after we eat. These food particles, bacteria, and saliva all combine to make this film, and that’s what makes your teeth feel “dirty” when you wake up in the morning or between brushes. The bacteria within the mouth are having a field day,w which is the big problem, and it can cause acids to form, which then attack the gums and teeth, and this is the same bacteria which produces cavities, gingivitis, and tooth decay. The main purpose of brushing and flossing is to hamper the bacterial growth, and it is important to realize that if you don’t take care of this, it can become tartar.

Tartar is something that mineralizes on the teeth within 72 hours, and it tends to bind very strongly to the enamel of the tooth, and usually, this occurs in the areas next to the salivary glands, such as the lower front teeth, along with the upper molars that are near cheeks. it’s tough, and this crusty, hard material will trap the stains, making them brown, and as we age, we are more prone to this, and you have more risk of developing this when you have crowded teeth, smoke, or dry mouth.  We have tartar for the most part building up.

Of course, this can cause gum disease, and it can produce a big inflammatory effect throughout the body, especially the cardiovascular system.  The best way to fight this is to reduce the formation of the plaque and from there, you can prevent the tartar from building up. You will need help from a professional if it gets to that point.  We need to make sure that we see the dentist that we have in the area since it can help with preventing this from happening.

Remember to always see your dentist twice a year, and from there, you should also make sure that you take the time to ensure that you have the best dental health that you can, and from there, you can prevent this from building up, and prevent future cleanings from happening as well, keeping your teeth even better and healthier than you have.